Steve ‘Dandy’ Brown is a busy character. Next to his work as a producer he plays bass and is the main songwriter in two bands, Hermano and Orquesta Del Desierto. Hermano’s been reviewed on Rockezine already and now it’s time for Dandy’s other project to be put to the test. Acoustic guitars and Pete Stahl’s voice dominate this record. Stahl, of course, is also the lead singer of Earthlings? and used to fill in that spot in Goatsnake prior to that. Apart from the acoustic guitars, drums and bass guitar the sound is completed by, in turn, organ, harmonica, organ, percussion and horns. This makes the self-titled debut a varied and warm sounding album. As the name of the band suggests the music is inspired by the desert where Dandy Brown stayed while working on the Hermano record.

It sure has a Mexican desert kind of feel, especially when the horns join in. Pete Stahl can handle a lot of different styles with his voice but he always sounds a little weird. I can imagine some people will be put off a bit by his irregular and somewhat eccentric vocals but I like his style. Just like his off the wall lyrics for that matter. Mike Riley and Dandy Brown are responsible for the wonderful clear and warm mix and mastering. All the different instruments are audible but the band always sound like a unit. Orquesta del Desierto pass with flying colors.